Choosing the Right Tool for Reliable Analytics

The Covid-19 reporting incident, where 16,000 positive cases went unregistered, is a memorable reminder of how easily things can go wrong when the wrong tool is used for data management. The issue occurred because an older Excel format with a limit of around 65,000 rows was used to store test results. Once the spreadsheet hit its capacity, thousands of entries simply did not appear. Had a modern file type been used, or better still, a system built for large-scale data handling, the mistake would have been avoided.

Excel is a fantastic everyday tool, but it is still frequently pushed beyond what it was designed to do. Many organisations have experienced problems caused by spreadsheets being used for heavy analytics, reporting or database-style tasks. Files can become corrupted; performance deteriorates as size grows and simple human actions like forgetting to close a shared spreadsheet can delay work or prevent others from accessing the file at all.

Another challenge arises when multiple versions of the same spreadsheet exist across different teams. Each version may contain variations in formulas or assumptions, leading to conflicting answers and a lack of trust in the information being used for decision making. Ask three people the same question and it is not uncommon to receive three different answers based on their own spreadsheets.

A more reliable approach begins with creating a single connected view of organisational data. When data sources are linked directly to a centralised and accurate record, everyone works from information that updates automatically at its origin. This eliminates spreadsheet locking issues and removes the risks caused by manually maintained files.

Automation is the next step. By automating routine reporting tasks, organisations can significantly reduce the time spent updating spreadsheets and eliminate the errors that accompany repetitive manual work. This not only improves consistency but also frees up employees to focus on understanding the insights rather than wrestling with administrative tasks.

Connexica’s CXAIR supports this approach by connecting data from multiple systems into a single trusted asset. Instead of relying on traditional spreadsheet files, data is stored in high performance indexes that improve speed, remove hardware strain and prevent the bottlenecks caused by shared documents. CXAIR scales effortlessly to large data volumes and retrieves information quickly even when querying millions of rows. This makes it ideal for organisations that need dependable analytics at speed.

Errors will always happen, but many can be avoided by using technology that is appropriate for the task. If you have concerns about the accuracy or resilience of your reporting processes, Connexica can help you modernise your approach and strengthen confidence in your data.